David Sibray
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn many thuggish fists in the U.S. are tied to one of the most horrific events in West Virginia history and a blockbuster movie based on it. A murderous preacher, a lonely-hearts serial killer, and the infamous state penitentiary at Moundsville all figure into the twisted tale, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Great Seal of West Virginia may be as fascinating to some West Virginians as the U.S. dollar bill is for other Americans. It’s full of symbolism, the origins of which continue to be examined. Some of its symbols are mysterious, while others are likely more obvious. What is a state seal? … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The historical outdoor dramas “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Honey in the Rock” will return to the Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview this week and run through the end of the month. After a five-year pause, the drama “Honey in the Rock,” the story of the birth of West Virginia, is returning to the … Read more
MARLINTON, W.Va. — Located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia includes some of the darkest regions of the night sky in the eastern U.S. While regions near its largest cities may be bright enough to wash out many stars, residents of more than 50 percent of the state enjoy star-spangled nights. Where are the … Read more
SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — The tale of the “Ford Ghost” southwest of Summersville, West Virginia, appears several times in local lore. This telling by J.W. Benjamin, published in the W.Va. Heritage Encyclopedia, couches the story in a manner that captures the essence of a good ghost story with the help of Lonnie E. Legge, who might … Read more
HINTON, W.Va. — Far from crowds that visit some of its most popular tourist attractions, the National Park Service at the New River Gorge has preserved an old-time mountain farm, providing visitors a glimpse into the past in West Virginia. Though access isn’t provided to the interiors of the buildings, visitors are encouraged to walk … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Which are the best hiking trails in West Virginia’s new national park? Deb Moses Lamey, president of Friends of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, is a consummate hiker who knows the trails that climb through the gorge and surrounding highlands. With more than 40 designated hiking trails, the park … Read more
THURMOND, W.Va. — Victims of a smallpox pandemic that swept through the New River Gorge in the late 1800s may have been buried in a remote cemetery on what many now call the ‘Island of the Dead.’ Though remote, the island is accessible during low water in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. … Read more
PAX, W.Va. — West Virginia is warm enough to welcome family camping at least six months out of the year, and there’s little more exciting about a night under the stars than campfire tales told over roasted marshmallows. As the embers dim, inexplicable sounds come out of the darkness. The crash of a falling branch! … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Communities across West Virginia are turning to their scenic potential to bolster local economies. They’ve discovered that beauty spots attract tourists and increase the desirability of nearby real estate without much expense. Landscape architect Joe Bird, vice president of A hiker gazes across the Greenbrier Valley. Photo courtesy Pine and rhododendrons help … Read more
